Share of WVC title on line for Rams

November 2, 2012

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Glenville ruined Shepherd's undefeated season two years ago when the Pioneers came to Ram Stadium.

At the same time, Glenville coach David Hutchison thinks that loss probably helped Shepherd refocus and "helped them get to the final four."

It's hard to quantify whether it's true or not, being one of those intangible types of things.

No question, though, the Pioneers helped position the Rams for another possible run to the postseason when they defeated Charleston last week.

Glenville helped itself immensely.

The winner of today's noon game between Glenville and Shepherd will clinch at least a share of the West Virginia Conference championship with one week remaining. Both teams have just one conference loss.

"That's what a lot of people have been saying," Shepherd coach Monte Cater said. "For the league, it's not good. Any chance we had of getting two teams (into the postseson) went right out the window."

Charleston, which Shepherd defeated, ranked ahead of the Rams in the Super Region I rankings before last week. Now Shepherd is seventh and can reach the postseason by winning its conference and ranking among the top eight teams for the six-team region playoffs.

Shepherd knows, though, that Glenville's win over Charleston while the Rams rested on a bye week helped the Rams'position for the postseaosn.

"I think it did," Cater said. "From a standpoint of where we are, we know we have to win the last two to have any shot. Nothing really changed.

"Now we're the only two with one loss, so somebody will get a share of (the conference title), no matter what."

Both coaches know it won't be easy.

The road team has won the last two games in the series, and the squads have split their last 12 games. Before Shepherd won in 2011, Glenville won the previous four contests.

"It's always a tough ballgame," Cater said.

Glenville (5-4 overall) has won its last three games.

"We're excited," Hutchison said. "We're going over there to play for a share of the conference championship.

"It's been a few years since we've been in that situation. We're excited and look forward to that opportunity."

For Glenville, the Pioneers will get away from the snow in which they've had to practice after Superstorm Sandy. The bad weather didn't hamper Shepherd's preparation very much, Cater said.

"We got good work in it," Hutchison said. "We had productive practices in the elements."

Most of the work at quarterback went to Justin Feagin, who replaced Darrold Hughes, who has been sideline with a concussion. Hutchison said he hoped that Hughes would be cleared to play some this week.

"Whether Hughes plays or not, those guys are athletic," Cater said. "They can hurt you in many ways. Feagin is a big-time run threat."

His ability to carry the football complements the ability of Rahmann Lee, who has topped 1,000 yards through nine games.

Lee, a freshman, is second in the league's rushing race to Charleston's Jordan Roberts, whom the Rams stymied when they played.

Shepherd's defense is ranked No. 1 nationally against the run.

"Their defensive line, that front six, including inside linebackers, is probably the best we've faced," Hutchison said. "They're comparable to UT-Chattanooga, the I-AA team we faced. They're very solid. It allows them to play that base 4-4, cover-3 and let that line go to work.

"We have to do some things up front with our offensive line to try to create some running lanes for our running backs and quarterbacks."

Shepherd will be playing at home for the first time four weeks.

"There are no crowds like we have here," Cater said. "That's one of the special things about playing here now."

The Rams finish the regular season a week from today at home against Fairmont.

"It's great to be playing at home," Cater said. "One of the reasons they come here is to hopefully play in games like this. They say kids come to LSU and Alabama to play for national championships. While that may not be the case here, we've been in games like this.

"You know you have a chance to get a share of the title this week."

Important to Shepherd is to be able to run the ball successfully, which is the same for Glenville.

Cater wants his team to continue to improve in the penalty department. The Rams suffered just 40 yards two weeks ago during a win at West Virginia State, well down from the more than 100 they were averaging earlier in the season.

"We didn't turn the ball over at State (either)," Cater said. "Those are the things that were hurting us in previous games."

Cater just hopes his team is ready after having a week off.

"We're a little healthier than we have been, more full strength than we have been in a month," Cater said. "Not that the two weeks (between games) has always been good to us.

"A lot of times, it's been this game where we haven't played our best football."

The Rams can't afford not to do so today, however. Too miuch is at stake.